Harness-trace coupling



UNITE S ATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES K. BRADFORD, OF LYNN, MASAGHUSETTS.

HARNESS-TRACE COUPLING.

Specicaton of Letters Patent No. 15,057, dated June 10, 1856.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES K. BRADFORD, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Harness-Trace Coupling; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure l, is a top view of part of a whiilietree and a trace as connected by my improved coupling. Fig. 2, is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 3, is an end view of the locking case. Fig. et, is a side View of the coupling button or tenon. Fig. 5, is an inner side view of the front end of the locking case. Fig. 6, is an inner end view of the locking button.

In these drawings, A, is a tubular socket or case, which is adapted to receive, and is fastened on one end of a whitlietree B, as seen in Figs. l, and 2. This tubular socket is closed at its outer end, by a bottom, a, except, there is made throught it a slot Z), of a form adapted to receive or permit to pass through it, an elongated tenon or button, c, which is formed as seen in Figs. 4, and 6, and is fastened to a. harness trace, C, by means of a fastening plate, d, from which such button tenon extends. By inserting the tenon in the slot, and turning the former around the button will be connected to the locking case. In order to maintain it in such connection, I place within the locking case, and between the end of the whiflietree and t-he bottom of the case, and so as to press rmly against such bottom., an elastic plug or friction bearer, E, of india rubber or like material, the same while t-he tenon is being inserted through the slot, springing back under the pressure upon it, and subsequently serving to keep the tenon or locking button from turning around and becoming disengaged from its socket under ordinary circumstances, or while the carriage to which the whiifletree is attached, is being drawn by a horse connected to the trace.

In order to maintain the tenon button with more certainty in connection with the locking case, the inner side of the button of said case may be provided with recesses as seen at, 0, 0, arranged transversely of the entering slot and so made that when the button tenon is turned around far enough it may be forced into such recesses by the reaction of the elastic holder or friction bearer, E.

In order to disconnect the trace from the whiflietree, we have only to press the tenon button inward until it shall pass out of the locking recesses, 0, 0, and when such has been accomplished, if we turn it around until it comes opposite the entrance slot,-it will be smartly ejected from each end by the reaction of the spring bearer.

The above described improved coupling is not only not liable to become disconnected under ordinary circumstances, or while a carriage provided with it is in use, but it cannot rattle or make any unpleasant noise as the spring friction bearer operates to prevent such.

I claim- 1. The combination of the india rubber plug or spring friction bearer E, with the tenon button and its locking case the same being made to operate therewith substane tially as specified.

2. I also claim arranging in the locking case and transversely of its entering slot, the safety recesses, o, 0, the same being for the purpose as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature this eleventhday of April CHAS. K. BRADFORD. Witnesses:

R. I-I. EDDY, F. P. HALE, Jr. 

